Davis Bayou, Ocean Springs, MS

DAVIS BAYOU

RUN BY: Nat'l Park Service

LOCATION: Gulf Island NS, Ocean Spring, MS

UTILITIES: Water and Electricity (30-50A)

COST: $22

OUR RATING (1-5): I-4.5

NOTES:  This is one of those gems which get lost when people start looking at NPS and places to visit. Perhaps it is because it appears to be a very small park run by the the National Park Service. Actually the staff have a really large geographic area to manage. Davis Bayou is a small part of the much larger Gulf Island National Sea Shore which extends all the way from Ocean Springs, MS to Gulf Breeze, FL. This campground is small but it is beautiful.  It is nestled among gigantic Live Oak and tall Slash Pine.  One of the campground Rangers told me how his father's favorite campsite was the one next to ours where he could sit and look through the trees at the wetlands. This side of the park also includes at least four barrier islands about 11 miles into the Gulf of Mexico. There is a ferry to Ship Island where you can visit Fort Massachusetts.  You are only about 5 miles from major shopping and the Biloxi casinos are probably not more than 10 miles away.  Great sea food is readily available. We went to a place which locals said is the best - Quality Seafood right in Biloxi. It was outstanding. There are some nice, but short, hiking trails and we rode our bikes for hours exploring the area. Talking to one of the Interpretive Rangers we found out that they have kayaking and other park supported activities during warmer weather.  The campground has a real sense of community, which could change as the visitors change, but which the host confirmed.  The sister campground and another very interesting and enjoyable part of the Gulf Island National Seashore is Fort Pickens by Gulf Breeze, FL.  (We have a post about the Ft. Pickens campground)   Honestly, we were very taken by the sincere friendliness of the Rangers and Volunteer Staff.  For those of full-timers/nomads looking for a place to spend some time we would give Davis Bayou top marks and suggest that you check out their stay rules. They are more liberal than some National Parks. 

Environment: A nicely wooded campground nestled among Live Oak and Slash Pine surrounded by heavy vegetation. 

Amenities:  Bath house with really nice showers.  Despite the fact that we have a really nice shower and bathtub in our trailer, Pamela used the campground showers and sang its praises!  Sadly no camp-store or laundry, but, as I said, you are probably no more than 5 miles from major shopping and services. 

Phone Service: not the best Verizon which is amazing considering the proximity to a major metropolitan area.  We didn't get to talk to anyone with AT&T or other services. We were getting 4G-two bars at best. 

Location:  Just across the bay from Biloxi and up against the town of Ocean Spring, MS.  It is about 40 miles west of Mobile and only 10 miles off Interstate 10. 

Camping Population: Limited stay but they do have a rather liberal stay policy . . . which I commend.  Reason - I don't see this as a place where people come to camp, have the kids ride their bikes around the loop, and go to the beach.  

Sites: Nice asphalt pads. Utilities are easy access Leveling is no problem for a trailer and only minimal for Class A or C. We didn't have any problem.

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RATING KEY: category - score

Categories:

I - established campgrounds where one might spend a vacation or several days

II - boondocking, dry camping where there are no designated sites and no amenities but

one might choose to stay for more than a night.

III - over-night areas

You must remember that we are scoring 1 thru 5 according to things which are important to us: the environment, cost, amenities, location, safety, camping population, site, phone service